Blockbuster To Close Remaining Stores. Also, Blockbuster Apparently Still Had Stores

Pour one (weirdly warm Diet Dr. Pepper that you realized after purchasing you didn’t even want) out for Blockbuster, as the video rental chain has announced it is closing its 300 remaining domestic retail locations (as well as its by-mail service) by January 2014. There were still 300 Blockbuster stores open, you guys! Kind of adorable, in a way, reminiscent of your friend who refuses to update to the new iPhone operating software (“Why would I want to mess with something that works, O.K.? I like it slower.”)

Here are some ways to honor Blockbuster today in their time of great sorrow:

— Intentionally place your coffee mug on your Netflix envelope to create a stain, as if to remind Netflix that, though you are hopelessly devoted to it, you still feel a little bit of shame about it.

— Repurpose an old V.H.S. tape as an objet d’art in your apartment. (Bonus of this one: it’s guaranteed to gain you the favor of at least 5 to 7 Williamsburg-ites at your next party)

— Get in your car and drive aimlessly for 40 minutes before pulling into a strip mall because you don’t have any other destination in mind, to honor the similar Friday nights of your high school days that would always end at a Blockbuster.